FickleMinded

TodayI am posting 13 things about how we, Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines.

1. According to historical accounts, the first Christmas in the Philippines was celebrated 200 years before Ferdinand Magellan discovered the country for the western world, likely between the years 1280 and 1320 AD.
2. Christmas in the Philippines, one of two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia (the other one being East Timor), is one of the biggest holidays on calendar. The country has earned the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas season, with Christmas carols are heard as early as September and the season lasting up until Epiphany.
3. We say Maligayang Pasko, it means Merry Christmas.
4. We have what we call, Misa De Gallo, it’s a 9 days of mass in a Catholic church started on December 16 that’ll last until December 25.The original mass schedule usually start at 4am, but other church do it at 9pm.  They say that if you will complete the 9 days Novena, your dreams will come true. Don’t ask me if it is true because I never completed it.  I’m too lazy to wake up at 3am.
5. You can also buy Puto Bumbong during this season. Sorry,I don’t know what is it called in english you can Google it if you want.
6. The usual weather during this season is either highest 60′s or in lower 70′s and most of us, always complaining that “It’s getting too cold”
7. We always have our star shape lantern, we cal it Parol.
8. Most carolers,especially kids, started visiting house each night  doing the “Karoling” on December 01. Back in 2007 when we were there,Patrick had a blast going on a Karoling.
9. We usually have an exchange “gag” gift and it’s always fun to see what other come up with.
10. On Christmas day, kids usually going from one house to another asking for a present.You can give them money or candy or whatever you got.
11. Most company give a bonus to their employee.
12. We also celebrate what we call, Niños Inocentes on December 28, to commemorate the Three Wise Men for not returning to King Herod but instead they went to different way.
13. On Christmas day, whenever you visit a friend, the most common foodserve  is Pancit.

I got the few info from Wikipedia but the others are thru my own experience.